Member Article

Government doing ‘everything that is possible to secure the future of British steel’, Sajid Javid

Business Secretary Sajid Javid has said that the government ‘has done, and will continue to do, everything that is possible to secure the future of British steel making’, after holding the first meeting of the new joint Steel Council.

Comprised of industry, unions, UK government and ministers from the devolved administrations, the council was brought about to map the steel sector’s long-term future.

With Britain’s steel woes well documented and under severe pressure at present, the UK government is lobbying the EU to put the steel industry on a level playing field.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid explained: “The crisis facing the British steel industry and workers is grave indeed. But people should be in no doubt that this government has done, and will continue to do, everything that is possible to secure the future of British steel making and protect Britain’s wider economy.

“That includes working more closely than ever with the industry in the new joint Steel Council.”

Co-chair Jon Bolton of UK Steel said: “It is a welcome step that the government is continuing to respond to the needs of the UK steel sector and has acted on calls for a longer term, business-focused Steel Council.

“The business leaders on the council represent many of the UK’s producers and will be well placed to determine what steps are needed to develop and support a steel sector enabling it to meet the future UK industrial and infrastructure demands.”